How much oxy is left in your dewar?

[Adapt]

I hate those stupid little gauges on the tops of the dewars that are broken like 99% of the time.

I usually get about four weeks on a tank. So, I call Airgas at three weeks because if I call on a Friday, they generally get a tank to me by next Friday. But, if Airgas is woeking efficiently I get the tank on Tuesday or Wednesday.

This kinda sucks though because I end up giving them a tank that still has oxy left or I have to get a couple of K tanks if my liquid empties before I get a new one. :wes:

My question is do any of you have a better way of gauging the amount of oxy left in the dewars than those stupid faulty gauges???

[Dom]

I dunno man, I jsut switched to Airgas and I love their gauges compared to the old float type things.

The best way to check it to shake the tank, if there is liquid swooshing around in there then you got at least a week.

Id say 4 weeks average for sure.

Another thing, why the hell does it take them a week? They bring it the next day here, which would be monday if I called friday.

[blazemaster83]

I just shake my tank, to hear if theres any liquid. You can try using a magnet on the little guage to re-position it, sometimes they get stuck. You can also use the PSI guage once it gets really low. Other than that, there isnt much you can do, except maybe buy a k tank and keep it full for days when the dewar is empty. Hope that helps, Peace!

[hashmasta-kut]

you can tip the tank up and feel how light it is, and as everyone mentioned slosh it to see how much weight moves around in there. it takes a week to get a tank of liquid here too. i order thursday and will get it thursday next week.

[brettodie]

get a compressed tank. work dewer till empty. call and have replaced. easy way i found to tell is just by lifting it and getting used to the weight.

whys airgas taking so long? call your sales guy or the store manager ,not the counter guy. talk to him about there turn over. if they deliver on any given day then there shouldnt ever be more then a day or two wait. they get daily deliveries from the plant so one day to get the tank to them and another to get it to you.

[hippi]

how many of you get lox dilivered to your house???? air gas told me no lol

[hashmasta-kut]

i do.

[Dom]

Yea me too but it was not Airgas, I had some mom and pop bring it over they had no problem.

[knaz]

I get mine delivered to my house. Old guy that delivers it does nothing but bitch. Polar doesn't care though.

[Adapt]

coolio. Thanks for the input guys, I never really put two and two together that the swooshing can be used as a measure.

As for the delivery time.... Sometimes the delivery is on time and sometimes its a couple days late. Once it was really late, I called the sales guy that I had talked to originally to get the liquid, he made it right. But, I have gotten used to a day or three late. I'm just happy they deliver to my house. Hahahahahaha!

[2wheeler]

Why do people have K tanks? The T tank has 33% more oxy... get mine filled for $12.50 ... Air Gas sold them to me for $225 a piece.... They upgrade a K to a T for $33 bucks and i think you only pay the fill on the new tank not both...

[CripSkillz]

airgass delivers to my house,, but im just outside ciy limits,, but im sure my guy would take it where ever i need it now..

and hes sweet next day or day after every time..

I got a spare T havnt filled in months ,, i usually get like 6 weeks out of mine but i dont work it that much..

[smolder holder]

Why do people have K tanks? The T tank has 33% more oxy... get mine filled for $12.50 ... Air Gas sold them to me for $225 a piece.... They upgrade a K to a T for $33 bucks and i think you only pay the fill on the new tank not both...

Yeah I like my T tank 337 is what they call them here. But they are big and barely fit in my wheels to get filled.

[2wheeler]

Yeah I like my T tank 337 is what they call them here. But they are big and barely fit in my wheels to get filled.

I used to put mine in my chevy cavalier while my s10 was broke down.. i feel your pain... i used to get 3 of them in that beast...sure glad i have a liquid now.

[Forche]

yea just shake it. After awhile you will get to know ur dewer and when it needs to be filled

[nomadcrafts]

If you listen to the sound it makes when you rock it, the more empty it is the more hollow it sounds.l

[Dom]

Yea another good way is to shake it towards you and try to stop it rapidly, then if it continues to move on its own there is some good liquid in there.

[dnug42]

oh great great post- i wuz jus going to post up somthing like this- i wuz, i swear...but anyhow not to thread jack buttttttttt- i got airgas delivery- guys great, who delivers...- dewers are old and sucky mostly but they are slowly being replaced with new ones that dont vent 10 times a day...but i got into a gripe with the manager from airgas who told me "you be lucky to get two weeks out of a 160" what bs- i have them for a month at least- if they dont vent themselves empty...which has happond- so how long do you guys keep em rockin for? and do you think the manager is incorrect?
oh and you cannot get 337 in ca where i am... only k's but in ct you can get 337 which last longer for sure...jus glad i am not luggin tanks around...
thanks goldy

[Dom]

Yea he is incorrect, that is the standard answer that a dewar lasts 2 weeks.

If you keep getting shitty tanks complain to your rep. I just switched to airgas and Im very very please. The tanks are perfect every single time. I got a shady tank 1 time out of the last 10 or so and called to complain, my rep credited me a half tank and have not had a crappy one since.

[Adapt]

o yea, I forgot to mention that I get 230L tanks. Are you guys getting 4 weeks off of 160L's?

[styles1 torchlife]

UC, I have a solution but it may be a little costly, but if it's really important not to run out maybe it's an option.

I was thinking recently how to solve this issue for a friend. I believe you could get a large scale that can handle about a thousand pounds keep the dewar on it when the it's empty note the weight. Each dewar has the tare weight on the dewar, so you will get more accurate idea of what's in the dewar.

[Adapt]

I've pondered that styles1, but i've always wondered about price and having to make a ramp to put a full dewar onto a scale. for now the problem is just annoying.

who knows though, I've never seen a industrial scale and I do live where a used could be found...

[rockstar glassworks]

I use the "fill level" gauge on top. When it's not broken or so cludy that I can't see into it. When that happens... I rock the tank around. You get used to the weight after a couple of tanks and can really get a feel for how much juice is left in there.

My guys at Keen deliver to my house. Of course we after 3 years of liquid deliveries we discovered a 5ton weight limit on my street.

So when I run low I grab some high pressure tanks and use a rotating system of 3 (I have on old station wagon) and wait for one of the drivers to be free enough to bring my liquid on the small truck.

Used to bring the semi, or the ten wheeler but with that 5 ton limit....sigh.

But I could go industrial zoned and pay way more in rent and overhead....or just deal with waiting a few days for my liquid and keep my home studio.

[Greymatter Glass]

The scale method is by far the best way to go. I'm always looking for a 1000# scale for a decent price, have yet to find one --- I need one with wheels so I can set the tank on it then move it into place. Set it up so it tips when there's like 20# of liquid left in it, and be ready to get more the next day.

If you own your tank you can calibrate the float gauge, just look for the manual on the manufacturers site... you have to do it when the tank is empty, then again when it's full (on mine, at least)

Rocking it is a tried and true method, but not very exact. You'll know you're close, but not how close.

When the tank no longer has an ice spot on the side or top, then I know it's gone to gas. Then the pressure drops fast.

...

still, I am looking for a scale.

-Doug

[l33t:weasel]

you can get a 1000# hanging scale pretty cheap, but its only useful if you have some good beams overhead, and it wont "tip" like greymatter wants.

[wfsupply]

If the temperature is room temperature, and a liquid oxygen tank goes unused, how often and for how long and for how loud does it do the purge/decompress noise? I've heard it is as loud as a train to as quiet as a whistle but nobody knows for sure not even the airgas rep..........

[l33t:weasel]

each tank seems to act a little different. Direct sun and/or wind with also affect it. i would venture 5 - 30 seconds.. say twice a day(very rough est.). If you get a tank with a 350psi pressure release and are able to knock the head pressure down to maybe 125 you should be able to leave it for the weekend.

[rockstar glassworks]

I always get a 250lb blow off valve. It is as loud a freakin screaming freight train when it goes off.

[ITIS]

mine is empty and i have two orders to fill ;(.... but i get a new one in the morning. try out the 350psi valves for a real hoot.